Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 3)

CHAPTER 108

As has been said, Sparrow-McCollum, in his retreat, fell in with a force under Wexler-Honeycutt, barring his road. It came about thus. After Sparrow-McCollum invaded Yunghamton, Norwood-Vicari had sent a flying messenger to the capital, and the Ruler of Wei summoned Whitmore-Honeycutt for advice. It had then been decided to send reinforcements to Yunghamton, and fifty thousand troops had marched, led by the son of the Prime Minister. On the march Wexler-Honeycutt had heard that the Shu army had been beaten back, and he had concluded they were weak. So he decided to meet them on the road and give battle. Near the Erora Pass, however, the roads had been lined with troops armed with the multiple crossbows designed by Orchard-Lafayette. Since Orchard-Lafayette's death, large numbers of these weapons had been made, and the bolts from them, which went in flights of ten, were poisoned. Consequently the Wei losses were very heavy, and Wexler-Honeycutt himself barely escaped with life. However, eventually he returned to Luoyang-Peoria.

From the walls of Qushan-Upland, the Shu general, Casey-Gardner, watched anxiously for the expected help. As it came not, he ultimately surrendered. And Sparrow-McCollum, with a loss of twenty to thirty thousand soldiers, marched back into Hanthamton.

In the third year of Domestic Calm (AD 251), in the eighth month, Whitmore-Honeycutt fell ill. His sickness increased rapidly, and, feeling that his end was near, he called his two sons to his bedside to hear his last words.

"I have served Wei many years and reached the highest rank possible among ministers. People have suspected me of ulterior aims, and I have always felt afraid of that. After my death the government will be in your hands, and you must be doubly careful."

Whitmore-Honeycutt passed away even as he said these last words. The sons informed the Ruler of Wei, who conferred high honors upon the dead and advanced his sons, Wexler-Honeycutt to the rank of Regent Marshal with the leadership of the Chairs of the Boards, and Emery-Honeycutt to the rank of Commander of the Flying Cavalry.

The Ruler of Wu, Raleigh-Estrada, had named his son Marriott-Estrada as his heir. His mother was Lady Simcox. But Marriott-Estrada died, and the second son Gregg-Estrada was chosen his successor. His mother was Lady Wingate. A quarrel arose between Gregg-Estrada and Princess Quincy, who maligned him and intrigued against him, so that he was set aside. Gregg-Estrada died of mortification. Then the third son Coyle-Estrada was named the Heir Apparent; his mother was Lady Pluta.

At this time Newell-Sanchez and Laurie-Lafayette were both dead, and the business of the government, great and small, was in the hands of Metcalf-Lafayette, son of Laurie-Lafayette.

In the first year of Grand Beginning (AD 251), on the first of the eighth month, a great storm passed over Wu. The waves rose to a great height, and the water stood eight feet deep over the low-lying lands. The pines and cypresses, which grew at the cemetery of the Imperial Ancestors of Wu, were uprooted and carried to the South Gate of Jianye-Southharbor, where they stuck, roots upward, in the road.

Raleigh-Estrada was frightened and fell ill. In the early days of the next year his illness became serious, whereupon he called in Imperial Guardian Metcalf-Lafayette and Regent Marshal Holloway-Engstrom to hear the declaration of his last wishes. Soon after he died, at the age of seventy-one. He had reigned for twenty-four years. In Shu-Han calendar it was the fifteenth year of Long Enjoyment (AD 252).

Metcalf-Lafayette immediately placed his late lord's son Coyle-Estrada on the throne, and the opening of the new reign was marked by the adoption of the style Great Prosperity, the first year. A general amnesty was proclaimed. The late ruler received the posthumous style of Raleigh-Estrada the Great Emperor and was buried in Jiangling-Riverport.

When these things were reported in the Wei capital, Wexler-Honeycutt's first thought was to attack the South Land.

But his plans were opposed by First Secretary Liddell-Cummins, saying, "Remember what a strong defense to Wu is the Great River. The country has been many times attacked by our ancestors, but never conquered. Rather let us all hold what we have till the time be expedient to possess the whole empire."

Wexler-Honeycutt replied, "The way of Heaven changes thrice in a century, and no three-part division is permanent. I wish to attack Wu."

Emery-Honeycutt, his brother, was in favor of attack, saying "The occasion is most opportune. Raleigh-Estrada is newly dead, and the present ruler is a child."

An expedition was decided upon. Stengel-Corcoran, General Who Conquers the South, was sent with one hundred thousand troops against Nanjun-Southport. Rossetti-Jennings, General Who Guards the South, was given one hundred thousand troops to go against Wuchang-Marietta. Barnett-Stallings, General Who Conquers the East, led one hundred thousand troops against Dongxing-Evergreen. They marched in three divisions. Emery-Honeycutt was made Commander-in-Chief of the campaign.

In the winter of that year, the tenth month, Emery-Honeycutt marched the armies near to the Wu frontiers and camped. Emery-Honeycutt called together Stengel-Corcoran, Rossetti-Jennings, Barnett-Stallings, and various other commanders to decide upon plans.

He said, "The county of Dongxing-Evergreen is most important to Wu. They have built a great rampart, with walls right and left to defend Lake Chaohu from an attack in the rear. You gentlemen will have to exercise extreme care."

Then he bade Stengel-Corcoran and Rossetti-Jennings each to take ten thousand troops and place themselves right and left, but not to advance till Dongxing-Evergreen had been captured. When that city had fallen, these two were to go forward at the same time. Barnett-Stallings was to lead the van. The first step was to construct a floating bridge to storm the rampart. The two walls should then be captured.

News of the danger soon came to Wu, and Metcalf-Lafayette called a council to take measures.

Then said Crosby-Saldana, General Who Pacifies the North, "Dongxing-Evergreen is of the utmost importance as its loss would endanger Wuchang-Marietta."

"I agree with you," said Metcalf-Lafayette. "You say just what I think. You should lead three thousand marines up the river in thirty ships, while on land Rifkin-Shafer, Weiss-Padgett, and Skerry-Hutchins will follow in three directions with ten thousand troops each. The signal for the general attack will be a cluster of bombs."

Crosby-Saldana received the command, and, with three thousand marines and thirty battleships, he sailed in the Great River to Dongxing-Evergreen.

Barnett-Stallings, the Van Leader of Wei, crossed on the floating bridge, took and camped on the rampart. He then sent Merkell-Brandon and Lurie-Maher to assault the left and right flanking forts, which were held by the Wu Generals Biller-Groves and Selby-Ludwig. These forts had high walls and strong, and made a good resistance, so that the Wei force could not overcome. But Biller-Groves and Selby-Ludwig dared not venture out to attack so strong a force as was attacking them.

Barnett-Stallings made a camp at Xutang-Gulfport. It was then the depth of winter and intensely cold. Heavy snow fell. Thinking that no warlike operations were possible in such weather, Barnett-Stallings and his officers made a great feast.

In the midst of the feasting came one to report: "Thirty ships are coming in the river."

Barnett-Stallings went out to look and saw them come into the bank. He made out a hundred troops on each.

As they were so few, he returned to the feast and told his officers, "Only three thousand sailors; there is nothing to be alarmed at."

Giving orders to keep a careful watch, they all returned to enjoy themselves.

Crosby-Saldana's ships were all drawn up in line. Then he said to his officers, "Today there is indeed a grand opportunity for a brave soldier to distinguish himself. We shall need the utmost freedom of movement, so throw off your armor, leave your helmets, cast aside your long spears, and reject your heavy halberds. Short swords are the weapons for today."

From the shore the soldiers of Wei watched the Wu marines with amusement, taking no trouble to prepare against an attack. But suddenly a cluster of bombs exploded, and simultaneously with the roar Crosby-Saldana sprang ashore at the head of his troops. They dashed up the bank and made straight for the Wei camp.

The soldiers of Wei were taken completely by surprise and were helpless. Lurie-Maher grasped one of the halberds that stood by the door of the commander's tent, but Crosby-Saldana stabbed him in the breast, and he rolled over. Merkell-Brandon went round and came up on the left. Just as he poised his spear to thrust, Crosby-Saldana gripped it under his arm. Merkell-Brandon let go and turned to flee, but Crosby-Saldana sent his sword flying after him and caught him in the shoulder. He turned and was thrust through by Crosby-Saldana's spear.

The three companies of Wu marines went to and fro in the camp of Wei slaying as they would. Barnett-Stallings mounted a horse and fled. His troops ran away across the floating bridge, but that gave way and many were thrown into the water and drowned. Dead bodies lay about on the snow in large numbers. The spoil of military gear that fell to Wu was immense.

Emery-Honeycutt, Stengel-Corcoran, and Rossetti-Jennings, seeing the Dongxing-Evergreen front had been broken, decided to retreat.

Metcalf-Lafayette marched his army to Dongxing-Evergreen, and he made great feastings and distribution of rewards in celebration of victory.

Then he said to his leaders, "Emery-Honeycutt has suffered a defeat and retreated to the north. It is time to take the Middle Land."

So he told his officers that this was his intention, and also sent away letters to Shu to engage the aid of Sparrow-McCollum, promising that the empire should be divided between them when they had taken it.

An army of two hundred thousand troops was told off to invade the Middle Land. Just as it was starting, a stream of white vapor was seen emerging from the earth, and as it spread it gradually enveloped the whole army so that people could not see each other.

"It is a white rainbow," said Potter-Aguilar, "and it bodes ill to the army. I advise you, O Commander, to return and not march against Wei."

"How dare you utter such ill-omened words and blunt the keenness of my army?" cried Metcalf-Lafayette, angrily.

He bade the lictors take Potter-Aguilar out and put him to death. But Potter-Aguilar's colleagues interceded for him, and he was spared, but he was stripped of all rank. Orders were issued to march quickly.

Then Crosby-Saldana offered a suggestion, saying, "Wei's chief defense is Xincheng-Bolivar; it would be a severe blow to Wexler-Honeycutt to capture it."

Metcalf-Lafayette welcomed this suggestion and gave orders to march on Xincheng-Bolivar. They came up and found the city gates closed, wherefore they began to besiege the city. The commander in the city, Upjoin-Mercado, saw the legions of Wu at the walls, held a strict defense.

A hasty messenger was sent to Luoyang-Peoria, and First Secretary Strauch-Barrow told the Prime Minister, Wexler-Honeycutt.

Strauch-Barrow said, "Metcalf-Lafayette is laying siege to Xincheng-Bolivar; the city should not try to repulse the attack, but simply hold out as long as possible. When the besiegers have exhausted their provisions, they will be compelled to retire. As they retreat, we can smite them. However, it is necessary to provide against any invasion from Shu."

Accordingly Emery-Honeycutt was sent to reinforce Norwood-Vicari so as to keep off Sparrow-McCollum, while Rossetti-Jennings and Barnett-Stallings kept the army of Wu at bay.

For months the army of Metcalf-Lafayette battered at Xincheng-Bolivar without success. He urged his generals to strenuous efforts, threatening to put to death anyone who was dilatory. At last his attacks looked like succeeding, for the northeast corner of the wall seemed shaken.

Then Upjoin-Mercado, the commander of Xincheng-Bolivar, thought of a device. He sent a persuasive messenger with all the register documents to Metcalf-Lafayette.

And the messenger said, "It is a rule in Wei that if a city holds out against attack for a hundred days and reinforcement has not arrived, then its commander may surrender without penalty to his family. Now Xincheng-Bolivar has held out for over ninety days, and my master hopes you will allow him to withstand the few days necessary to complete the hundred, when he will yield. Here are all register documents that he desires to tender first."

Metcalf-Lafayette had no doubts that the story was genuine. He ordered the army to retreat temporarily, and the defenders enjoyed a rest. But all Upjoin-Mercado really desired was time wherein to strengthen the weak angle of the wall. As soon as the attacks ceased, the defenders pulled down the houses near the corner and repaired the wall with the material.

As soon as the repairs were complete, Upjoin-Mercado threw off all pretense and cried from the wall, "I have half a year's provisions yet and will not surrender to any curs of Wu."

The defense became as vigorous as before the truce. Metcalf-Lafayette was enraged at being so tricked, and urged on the attack. But one day one of the thousands of arrows that flew from the rampart struck him in the forehead, and he fell. He was borne to his tent, but the wound inflamed, and he became very ill.

Their leader's illness disheartened the troops, and, moreover, the weather became very hot. Sickness invaded the camp, so that soldiers and leaders alike wished to go home. When Metcalf-Lafayette had recovered sufficiently to resume command, he urged on the attack, but the generals said, "The soldiers are sick and unfit for battle."

Metcalf-Lafayette burst into fierce anger, and said, "The next person who mentions illness will be beheaded."

When the report of this threat got abroad, the soldiers began to desert freely. Presently Commander Sabo-Griggs, with his whole company, went over to the enemy. Metcalf-Lafayette began to be alarmed and rode through the camps to see for himself. Surely enough, the soldiers all looked sickly, with pale and puffy faces.

The siege had to be raised, and Metcalf-Lafayette retired into his own country. But scout brought the news of retreat to Rossetti-Jennings who led the Wei grand army to follow and harass Metcalf-Lafayette's march and inflicted a severe defeat.

Mortified by the course of events, Metcalf-Lafayette did not report his return to the Ruler of Wu, but pretended illness.

Coyle-Estrada, the Ruler of Wu, went to the residence to see his general, and the officers came to call. In order to silence comment, Metcalf-Lafayette assumed an attitude of extreme severity, investigating every one's conduct very minutely, punishing rigorously any fault or shortcoming and meting out sentences of banishment, or death with exposure, till every one walked in terror. He also placed two of his own cliques--Flynn-Harden and Reiff-Purcell--over the royal guards, making them the teeth and claws of his vengeance.

Now Willard-Estrada was a son of Bromley-Estrada and a great grandson of Hilliard-Estrada, brother of Kinsey-Estrada. Raleigh-Estrada loved him and had put him in command of the guards. Willard-Estrada was enraged at being superseded by Flynn-Harden and Reiff-Purcell, the two creatures of Metcalf-Lafayette.

Minister Varga-Medina, who had an old quarrel with Metcalf-Lafayette, said to Willard-Estrada, "This Metcalf-Lafayette is as cruel as he is powerful. He abuses his authority and no one is safe against him. I also think he is aiming at something yet higher and you, Sir, as one of the ruling family ought to put a stop to it."

"I agree with you, and I want to get rid of him," replied Willard-Estrada. "Now I will obtain an edict condemning him to death."

Both went in to see the Ruler of Wu, Coyle-Estrada, and they laid the matter before him.

"I am afraid of him, too," replied Coyle-Estrada. "I have wanted to remove him for some time, but have found no opportunity. If you would prove your loyalty, you would do it for me."

Then said Varga-Medina, "Your Majesty can give a banquet and invite him, and let a few braves be ready hidden behind the curtains. At a signal, as the dropping of a wine cup, they might jump out and slay him, and all further trouble would be avoided."

Coyle-Estrada agreed.

Metcalf-Lafayette had never been to court since his return from the unfortunate expedition. Under a plea of indisposition he had remained moping at home. One day he was going out of his reception room when he suddenly saw coming in a person dressed in the mourning white.

"Who are you?" said he, rather roughly.

The person seemed too terror-stricken to reply or resist when he was seized. They questioned him, and he said, "I was in mourning for my father newly dead, and had come into the city to seek a priest to read the liturgy. I had entered by mistake, thinking it was a temple."

The gate wardens were questioned. They said, "There are scores of us at the gate, which is never unwatched. We have not seen a man enter."

Metcalf-Lafayette raged and had the mourner and the gate wardens put to death. But that night he was restless and sleepless. By and by he heard a rending sound that seemed to come from the reception hall, so he arose and went to see what it was. The great main beam had broken in two.

Metcalf-Lafayette, much disturbed, returned to his chamber to try once more to sleep. But a cold wind blew, and, shivering in the chilly air, he saw the figures of the mourner and the gate wardens he had put to death. They advanced toward him holding their heads in their hands and seemed to threaten him. He was frightened, and fell in a swoon.

Next morning, when washing his face, the water seemed tainted with the smell of blood. He bade the maid throw it away and bring more; it made no difference, the odor was still there. He was perplexed and distressed. Then came a messenger with an invitation to a royal banquet. He had his carriage prepared. As he was passing through the gate, a yellow dog jumped up and caught hold of his garment and then howled lugubriously.

"The dog even mocks me," said he, annoyed, and he bade his attendants take it away.

Then he set out for the palace. Before he had gone far, he saw a white rainbow rise out of the earth and reach up to the sky. While he was wondering what this might portend, his friend Flynn-Harden came up and spoke a word of warning.

"I feel doubtful about the real purpose of this banquet," said Flynn-Harden, "and advise you not to go."

Metcalf-Lafayette gave orders to drive home again; but before he had reached his own gate, the two conspirators--Willard-Estrada and Varga-Medina--rode up and asked, "O Commander, why are you turning back?"

"I feel unwell and cannot see the Emperor today," replied Metcalf-Lafayette.

They replied, "This court is appointed to be held especially to do honor to you and the army. You have not yet reported, and there is a banquet for you. You may be ill, but you really must go to court."

Metcalf-Lafayette yielded, and once more set his face toward the palace. Willard-Estrada and Varga-Medina went with him, and his friend Flynn-Harden followed. The banquet was spread when he arrived, and after he had made his obeisance he went to his place.

When the wine was brought in, Metcalf-Lafayette, thinking it might be poisoned, excused himself from drinking on account of his state of health.

"Will you have some of the medicated wine brought from your own residence?" said Willard-Estrada.

"Yes; I could drink that," replied he.

So a servant was sent for a supply that he might drink with the other guests.

After several courses, the Ruler of Wu made an excuse and left the banquet hall. Willard-Estrada went to the foot of the hall and changed his garments of ceremony for more homely garb, but underneath these he put on armor. Then suddenly he raised his keen sword and ran up the hall, shouting, "The Emperor has issued an edict to slay a rebel!"

Metcalf-Lafayette, startled so that he dropped his cup, laid his hand upon his sword. But he was too late; his head rolled to the floor. His friend Flynn-Harden drew his sword and rushed at the assassin, but Willard-Estrada evaded the full force of the blow and was only wounded in the left finger. Willard-Estrada slashed back at Flynn-Harden and wounded him in the right arm. Then the braves dashed in and finished Flynn-Harden.

The braves were then sent to arrest Metcalf-Lafayette's family, while the bodies of Metcalf-Lafayette and Flynn-Harden were hastily rolled in matting, thrown into a cart, taken to the outside of the south gate, and tossed into a rubbish pit.

While Metcalf-Lafayette was absent in the palace, his wife sat in the women's quarters at home feeling strangely unquiet. Presently a maid came in and, when she drew near, his wife said, "Why does your clothing smell of blood?"

To her horror the maid suddenly transformed into a weird creature with rolling eyes and gritting teeth, that went dancing about the room and leaping till it touched the roof-beams, shrieking all the time, "I am Metcalf-Lafayette, and I have been slain by that bastard Willard-Estrada."

By this time the whole family were frightened and began wailing. And a few minutes later the residence was surrounded by a crowd of armed guards sent to murder the inmates, whom they bound, carried off to the market place, and put to the sword. These things occurred in the tenth month of the second year of Great Prosperity (AD 254).

Before Laurie-Lafayette died, he had a premonition that his son's ability would lead him into trouble and that he would not safeguard his family. Others had also predicted an early death. Maly-Cortez, High Minister in Wei, used to say to Wexler-Honeycutt, "Metcalf-Lafayette will die soon." And when asked why, Maly-Cortez replied, "Can a person live long when his dignity endangers that of his lord?"

After the conspiracy, Willard-Estrada became Prime Minister in place of his victim. He was also placed in command of all the military forces, and became very powerful. The control of all matters was in his hands.

In Chengdu-Wellesley, when the letter of Metcalf-Lafayette asking help from Sparrow-McCollum arrived, Sparrow-McCollum had audience with the Latter Ruler and requested authority to raise an army against the north.

Who were victorious will appear in the next chapter.